Lady senator Risa Hontiveros fired back at President Rodrigo Duterte after the latter slammed regarding the former's accusations of directing the Philippine National Police of killing drug suspects. Hontiveros emphasized that Duterte's words have the "weight of policy."

"I am not a genius but I know that while two deaths do not make a policy, thousands of dead, without remorse, regret, or action from the government, do. 8-13,000 people have already died in this bloody war on drugs, mostly from the ranks of the poor," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Ang libong mga namatay ay hindi bunga ng aksidente. May intensyon, may nagdikta, may sistema at polisiya sa likod ng mga patayan. How could the number of dead reach such catastrophic levels if there is no guiding principle and policy behind it?" Hontiveros added.

She also noted that since Duterte is the chief executive, his remarks plays a great in the decision-making of the PNP not to mention as if creating an effect of policy on them. She cited the President words, 'Shoot suspects if they fight back, make them fight if they don't,' 'kill all criminals,' and 'makapatay lang tayo ng another 32 every day, then maybe we can reduce what ails this country,'" she commented.

Hontiveros also claimed that Duterte is the one who inspired the "culture of killing and impunity", adding that the reason why presidents try to be diplomatic is because they know the effect of the words on anyone who listens to them.

Nonetheless, she called out to law enforcers to end the so-called culture of killings.

"I am not unfamiliar with the police community. I am a PNP widow. I know many of you are honorable and patriotic. I know many of you have worked hard to professionalize the police force. I know many of you are hurting from the actions of a few corrupt and abusive within your ranks," Hontiveros said.

"It's time to end this madness. Let us redeem the reputation and integrity of the PNP. We start this by rejecting the policy that encourages the culture of killing," she added.

Meanwhile, Duterte was also enraged towards Hontiveros after knowing what the latter had to say about him. She couldn't even say it directly who she was referring to during the Senate probe.

The President berated on her for accusing him of the who is responsible for the deaths of several minors such as 17-year-old Kian delos Santos and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz.

"Do you think two killings even if it’s illegal would make a policy? Dalawang patay. Palagay na natin pinatay, murder," he said.

"I ask Hontiveros: Is that already a policy? Is that a baseline of a policy? Napakabobo naman niya," he added.

Duterte was greatly offended by the malicious allegations of the lady senator that why he said such things.

"Kaya nga umiyak ang tao nga kasi it’s an insult na sabihin it’s a policy of the police to kill. There are so many criminal minds, even in the Liberal Party," he said.

"Sila may record ng plunder and also killing. You make a comparison," he added

To be honest, Hontiveros should be careful with words as well, given the fact that she is spreading lies and accusing without substantial evidences after all she is another politician struggling for attention and fame from the Filipino people.